Most people are curious to know what I do & how I do it…okay, most are a little scared I might look in their car/handbag/closet, but curiosity gets them to ask probing questions. These questions tend to be very similar if not the same from everyone; guys & girls, young & more mature, analytical & artistic, working for a company & working for your family, ADD & not ADD. I thought it might enlightening & reassuring for you to see the questions everyone asks me & my answers to them. So sit a spell & read the answers to your burning questions.
Q: What do you do exactly?
A: I help people organize their things & their time in homes & places of business.
Q: How did you get into this profession? Is there a degree?
A: I have always been very organized & wanted to own my own business so it was a natural combination. My degree in Fashion Merchandising from Baylor University gave me the business classes along with design classes I needed for this business. And, I took my certification exam in 2003 to become a CPO, Certified Professional Organizer.
Q: What is a Professional Organizer? Is that like Hoarders?
A: Some Professional Organizer work with Hoards alongside a psychiatrist to address the intense problems that cause hoarding. I work with non-hoarders who may have some disorganization, even some messy or cluttered areas. I help clients get organized & teach them how to get & stay organized.
Q: Do I have to be there when you are organizing?
A: You don’t have to BUT if you want to learn the skill of sorting, prioritizing & organizing, it is easier to learn when involved in the process.
Q: So you work alone?
A: I work side-by-side with clients teaching them sorting, prioritizing & organizing skills as we work. I also develop organizing plans for clients to accomplish on their own. And, in some cases, I organize without clients, wrapping up with a one-on-one session to answer my outstanding questions, walk the client through my process & present a maintenance plan/routine for the client.
Q: Do you have a team?
A: If a job is really large or the timeline really short, I will bring in additional Professional Organizers to be sure we can reach the target end date.
Q: I’m so embarrassed for you to see my home/office/closet/playroom/etc. I will need to tidy/organize before you come over. Right?
A: No. If you do that, I won’t see an accurate picture of the problem to better understand your needs.
Q: What type of clients do you work with?
A: The main common denominator between clients is the desire to change. A little like deciding to loose weight, eat healthy, start saving, etc. Other than that, I work with men, women, kids, new parents, singles, downsizing, upsizing, packing, unpacking, renovating, ADD, Chronically Disorganized, organized & all financial levels.
Q: Are you a counselor?
A: No, but I do help parents/children, spouses, work associates, siblings, etc work through separate goals to create a common goal which in turn creates an agreed upon organization plan.
Q: Are you going to make me throw out everything?
A: Absolutely not! My goal is to create a space you feel comfortable in, allows you to find what you need & is manageable to maintain. If anything is removed, it is because you have decided it is no longer useful to you. I will ask you questions to help you in this decision process but ultimately, it is your decision what stays & what goes.
Q: What if my spouse/work associate is not on board with this whole process?
A: For our work to be successful, everyone needs to be accepting of our working together.
Q: Do you do come look at the space?
A: Yes, and that is the time when we all decide if we are a good fit. It takes about an hour. We meet in the space you want to organize. I am there to ask & listen to what everyone thinks is working, what isn’t working, what you all really want to see happen in that space & everyone’s timeline. If there are different answers for the goal & timeline, we discuss compromising options to see if we can come to an agreement. If we decide to work together, the consult fee is deducted from your first organizing session.
Q: Can you help me with some decorating?
A: I do help with decorating although I’m not an interior designer. I am very aware of what feels right in a space & will often suggest new furniture arrangements in a room we are organizing in order to maximize space or create a better flow in the room. Most times, just a few tweaks of your furniture can make the room your new favorite hang-out.
Q: What about closet systems like Elfa or California Closets?
A: I studied closet design & worked with California Closet for two years learning the right way to design closet spaces. Whether you want a closet system from a company or to have a carpenter build one for you, I can design or assist a closet design company with your design to maximize your closet space.
Q: How long is an organizing appointment?
A: Depending on the project type – paperwork vs garage vs toys – and your availability, appointments can last 3 hours to 8 hours. Ultimately, you are the final decision maker on how long a session lasts. Most first appointments are 3-4 hours. It gives us long enough to make headway, but short enough it isn’t overwhelming.
Q: Do you have a website?
A: Yes, www.styledandorganizedliving.com. I also post a weekly blog to help you by disclosing my knowledge of how to organize & be prepared for any situation. I will show you tips & tricks through posts on the Styled & Organized Living Facebook page, @StyledOrganized on Twitter & the Styled & Organized Living Pinterest page. Some posts will be simple tools while others will be ideas to consider. But all will show you how to gain a little more control over your life through organization because Life is Better Stylishly Organized!
Now, my question to you is, “Are you ready to get organized?” If so, contact us & let us help create a styled & organized life for you.
